MY SSB Experience #011 When I grew up, I got my interest in Computers and thus decided to pursue B.Tech in CSE. It was my first year when I saw a Major, a Colonel and few officers roaming in my campus. I was quite surprised to see them and later on came to know that there is a thing called University Entry Scheme (UES) in Indian Armed Forces that selects Engg. Students studying in the Pre-Final Year.” Degree se pehle Naukri ! “. Bas fir kya tha ? I started collecting details about it. After 2 yrs. When it was our turn, I successfully cleared the first round and have been called up for the SSB at Allahabad. Now after the hangover of such a great thing, I saw AFCAT 01/2013 notification, I applied for it. Couldn’t study well for the exam but Went for it and did the math, reasoning and a bit of G.K. (I suck at G.K.). 25 days later, friend of mine told that the results were out. I was not expecting much from it but was quite happy to see that I got 173 marks and the cutoff was 144 only. Logged into the website and selected 5 Aug, Varanasi as my SSB date and venue. And hence this became my FIRST OFFICIAL SSB. After my semester was over, I started collecting information about SSB.The ticket was booked and I reached Varanasi on 4th Aug in the afternoon. I stayed for the night at my relative’s place which was inside the Cantt. Area and almost 200 m away from the Subroto Chowk(the AFSB’s entrance). In the evening, I went to roam around and also visited the near around places. The next day, raining, my cousin dropped me at the railway station, where the staff were present along with a bus (to carry us) and a truck (to carry the luggage obviously :P), they took us to the AFSB where the freshers and the repeaters were separated and we were given code no. After the breakfast, we were taken to a big hall where we were made familiar with the rules and the Stage-I was conducted. OIR test went well and in the PP Test, an image with 3 people was shown, I wrote about a son who worked hard and took his parents for a pilgrimage. So, among 168 candidates, a total of 56 were selected out of which 4 were sent back due to some missing documents and were asked to come back after 15 days. We 52 people were left now. We filled up 2 PIQ forms and were allotted new chest numbers and were formed in groups .I got Chest No. 3 . My group had 9 people, all freshers. We stayed in SUKHOI and became friends before the midnight was over. It was the next day when we were taken for the Psychological tests, I wrote 12 stories, attempted 59 words in WAT and 47 SRT’s. But damm…. One biggest mistake, I wrote the WAT of the 37th word in the 36th line and hence screwed up the numbering. But later on told the Psychologist and he told that they people also keep track of such mistakes. “Ab to Gaya !” , I was bit disappointed but what could I do then. I pushed up myself to work hard in the upcoming tasks as I had nothing to lose. GTO went average as we all were freshers, so the teamwork was there but no experience of how to do. Anyhow, we managed to show our potential and I did 7 out of 10 obstacles in the Individual task. I was called up for the Interview right after the GTO task and hence couldn’t wear formals. Formals give confidence at least but how will I manage in Shorts and T-shirt ?. After waiting 3 hrs. in the waiting room, my turn came . An Interviewing officer and his trainee were sitting at the opposite end. I entered the room and the officer made me comfortable. After 5 minutes of casual conversation, he became serious and started talking about myself, my friends, school, family, college, choice of course etc. I tried my best to justify every personal question where I also accepted that I struggle at G.K. but try to improve it by reading newspapers, using apps on my smartphone. It was going great when he passed the ball in the trainee’s court, he picked up my bad G.K. point and asked me 4-5 questions out of which I could answer only 1 correctly. I was very let down and called my sister in the evening and told her , “yaar firse G.K. ne leli meri” and she told me not to worry. After the Interview, the chances of not getting selected were raised in my head and we all started packing for the final day. Next day, the conference started, Chest No. 1 and 2 went in and came out like a bullet and I had to wait for about 20 minutes. I was nervous when “BANARASI”, the caterer while passing by said,”Bhaiya aap select ho!”. I was like, what the hell… Don’t kid with me. Finally, I went in where 18-20 officers were sitting in a U-shaped table and the officer with the flag started asking about my experience at the board. It went for 5 minutes and I was told to go. We started waiting in the ANTE room and started singing “TUM HI HO” loudly for each other. Everybody in my group was emotional in the pain of leaving. I personally didn’t want it to end. Finally, we all were called back in the same hall where the D.S.O. started calling chest nos. of the recommended candidates. He started with CHEST NO. 3. I was like “WHAAAAAT?????” and I became deaf with happiness after that. I wished for my entire group to be selected as I wanted to be with them but unfortunately, only 2 out of my group were selected in total of 7 recommended candidates. Mixed emotions came into my heart as my BRO’s were leaving and I had to wait for the formalities. Nevertheless, this is life. And after I came back home, we all now interact through social networks and now planning to visit GOA in December to do the FULL MASTI again. Those 6 days were the best and will be the best days of my life. I met my Brothers from Another Mother, had a great life without cell phone & laptop. Collected lot of memories. Hope you all enjoyed this tale of mine. Thanks #SharpShooter
Posted on: Sun, 29 Sep 2013 12:10:08 +0000
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